Greece: Capsized Boat Had 100 Children In Hold As It Sank

Survivors from an overcrowded fishing boat that capsized on Wednesday off the Greek coast in one of Europe's worst migrant disasters say up to 100 children may have been on board.

When asked by a reporter from Greece's ANT1 channel if there were 100 children onboard, one survivor replied: "Yes."

The UN's International Organization for Migration has estimated that the boat carried 700 to 750 migrants onboard. Only 104 people have been rescued so far, sparking fears that many more are dead.

The Greek coastguard said nine survivors of the tragedy had been arrested on suspicion of human smuggling and stand accused of forming a criminal organization, state radio ERT reported.

Loss of children's lives is an atrocity: UNICEF

UNICEF is deeply saddened by multiple reports of up to a hundred children being among those trapped in the hold of a ship which capsized and sank off the coast of Greece yesterday, in the Mediterranean's largest sea tragedy in recent years.

"We can assume that many of these children will have lost their lives, as reports of survivors are so far limited. Our deepest sympathies are with the children's families, and all those affected by this horrendous event," said UNICEF Special Coordinator for the Refugee and Migrant Response in Europe, Philippe Cori.

"These are migrant and asylum-seeking children who have fled conflict, violence and poverty. They are children who are likely to have endured exploitation and abuse on every stage of their journey. Most of them will have attempted to make the perilous crossing alone, at the hands of traffickers and smugglers.said Philippe Cori.

UNICEF is ready to respond to the immediate needs of children and women who may have survived the shipwreck, in coordination with national authorities and partners.

"Any loss of life is a tragedy. The avoidable loss of so many children's lives in the Mediterranean Sea is an atrocity that will haunt these shores for years to come. Enough is enough," said Cori.

Survivors under psychological distress

UNHCR employee Erasmia Roumana told AFP news agency that many of the rescued migrants mostly from Syria, Egypt and Pakistan were in a very bad psychological situation.

"Many are under shock, they are so overwhelmed," Roumana said. "Many of them worry about the people they traveled with, families or friends."

Greece mourns

Greece has announced three days of mourning following the tragedy, with a special prosecutor tasked to look into the catastrophe.

The Greek coast guard said Europe's border agency Frontex discovered the boat on Tuesday afternoon, but migrants had "refused any help." The coastguard said the boat could have sunken earlier if Greek authorities took action to intercept the vessel.